Scuba Diving Seasons in Phuket

Scuba diving in Thailand is one of the experiences you should not miss. The Land of Smiles is particularly popular for its diving spots in Phuket, an island that can be your starting point for a liveaboard trip or scuba diving trips up the west coast to diving sites in the Andaman Sea. Phuket has everything for beginners, experienced, and professional divers alike, and it is home to world class PADI certified diving schools, too. To ensure the best diving experience, it is recommended that you dive during the best scuba diving seasons in Phuket.

Scuba diving continues throughout the year in Phuket, but the best conditions are from November to April (high season), and at the absolute peak aspect towards the end of that period. Scuba diving in Thailand during low season may be frustrating as the weather tends to be less predictable, with choppier seas and more rain. However, most diving trips to the local sites in Phuket are rarely interrupted by moderate weather conditions. In this case, divers are taken to the sites on the offshore island’s leeward areas.

Liveaboard scuba diving in Thailand is ideal from late October until the middle of May. Monsoons are already common and unpredictable beyond that period until high season starts, making it too dangerous for boats and divers to be in the open seas. Water temperatures in Phuket tend to range from 26 degrees Celsius in January and February, to 30 degrees Celsius in May and June. Thermoclines may occur in March and April, in which temperatures may drop a few degrees. Divers may wear full-length thin wetsuits if they feel uncomfortable with thermoclines.

Be careful when scuba diving in Thailand around April and May, as the titan triggerfish start nesting in the period, especially towards the end of high season. Triggerfish can become aggressive when defending their nests, which they build by digging in a sandy patch of coral. The titan species is notorious for being hazardous to divers.

Tips On How To Fit In Your Wetsuits

One of the most essential gear you must have in scuba diving is the wetsuit, which is designed for buoyancy and thermal insulation. The benefits of wearing a wetsuit will be discussed by your certified instructor during diving lessons in Phuket, but it is important to understand how to fit yours properly. Fitting one should be covered by your diving lessons in Phuket, but here are more tips to help you get the right fit and size:

• Check the brand or manufacturer – Suit manufacturers will vary in their sizing. What is labeled, ‘small’ may not necessarily be the regular small size that you wear when it comes to your everyday garments. Hence, ask for a sizing chart from the manufacturer that made the suit you want. This way, you can be sure that the suit will fit you snugly. Keep in mind that all suits are proportionally sized to your height and weight. 

• Fitting a one-piece suit – Pull the wetsuit all the way up to the waist and reach down to work your arms up one at a time. Let a buddy from your diving lessons in Phuket help you zip you up if the zipper is at the back to minimize zipper damage, as zippers tend to get caught in long hair or snag neoprene. 

• Fitting a two-piece scuba suit – Not all wetsuits are one-piece. There are two-piece suits, too. If that is what you want, start fitting by pulling the pants all the way up before securing the Velcro strap on the shoulder. Next, step through the jacket and pull it on, and reach to your back to put your arms through the suit before pulling it up. Zip up. 

• Inspecting the fit – The wetsuit must conform to the shape of your body. It should fit snugly and you might have a limited range of motion, but that is normal. Walk around for a few minutes and beware of any loss of circulation in your feet and hands. You should be able to breathe and inhale properly without feeling any discomfort. A small crease may be found at the back of your knees or elbows. 

• What if it does not fit? - Not all people will find off the rack wetsuits that will fit them properly. If that is the case, have it altered for a custom fit.

Thinking of Scuba Diving in Phuket? All4Diving is the Right Destination for You

Scuba diving lets you explore the oceans and encounter interesting creatures you simply wouldn’t get a chance to see anywhere else. One of the best destinations to go to for scuba diving is Phuket. Sign up for a scuba diving trip with a reputable diving academy like All4Diving - which is often described as the best diving school in this part of Thailand. For over two decades, it has been a leader in the Thai diving industry and is also among the most awarded PADI diving centers in the world.

All4Diving has new boats and liveaboard luxury boats that can provide comfort and safety even in a difficult weather. Scuba diving trips with All4Diving are suitable for beginners and experienced divers alike.

The academy also offers basic lessons as well as 10 specialty courses that will not only allow you to discover and explore the ocean, but also let you exercise your creativity and learn new skills. These 10 specialty courses are (1) deep scuba diving, (2) wreck scuba diving, (3) enriched air diving, (4) digital underwater photography, (5) diver propulsion vehicles, (6) underwater naturalist and fish identification, (7) underwater search and discovery, (8) coral reef conservation, (9) night scuba diving, and (10) drift scuba diving. These courses typically only take one to two days.

All4Diving also has a spacious retail shop where you can find the best equipment and accessories that will help you make the most of your diving and snorkeling activities. The academy is likewise involved in local and national environmental programs that are in line with their philosophy, which is to protect the environment for the generations to come. One of their specialty courses - coral reef preservation - gives you the knowledge and skills you need to be an ambassador of the coral reef ecosystems. Consider taking it during your holiday so you can share the knowledge with other divers and diving communities back home.

Phuket - A Hot Spot for Scuba Diving

One of the best diving destinations that you can go to - whether you’re a novice or an experienced scuba diver - is Phuket. There are various day trips and liveaboard arrangements that can help you get the best out of your scuba diving holiday. These trips make it easier to reach the many dive sites near the island, where you can revel in the enchanting marine life and history.

Phuket offers a range of dive sites for all skill levels. If you are a beginner and would prefer gentle drift diving, Racha Yai is recommended for you. However, if you are already an advanced diver and can take on stronger currents and deeper waters, then Racha Noi is a good choice. You could also possibly see manta rays there, as well as encounter large schools of tuna, whale sharks, and chevron barracudas.

If you choose to go on a day trip to Koh Dok Mai, you will likely encounter small creatures that just enrich the experience of fun dives and continuing education dives alike. You may be able to see the ghost pipefish, anglerfish, and tiger-tail seahorse. The east wall of Koh Dok Mai has a big and small cave, which makes it a great site for scuba diving. You will be permitted to go inside the small and narrow cave if you are a certified scuba diver.

Another place that is a must-see when you go to Phuket is the Shark Point. It got its name from the leopard sharks that are often seen in the area. Shark Point is 27 kilometers away from Phuket, and is near the King Cruiser Wreck and Anemone Reef.

If you want to have a scuba diving trip in Phuket, it would be best if you go with a diving center that offers day trips and liveaboard diving holidays. Choose a diving academy in Phuket that is among the most awarded PADI centers in Thailand because of its excellence in the domain of professional and recreational diving education.

Enjoy the Natural Beauty by Taking a Liveaboard Diving Tour in Similan Island

Thailand has a lot of dive spots that can give you the opportunity to discover and explore the breathtaking and mysterious life under the sea. The Similan Islands are one of the most popular scuba diving destination, and the best way to explore them is by taking a liveaboard diving tour. In this type of tour, you will live on a yacht or a boat that is specially crafted for diving trips. The boats are large enough for small to big groups. Liveaboards offer the best diving tours and cruises that can let you make the most of your visit to Similan Island, and the best opportunities are offered by seasoned specialists who organize liveaboard diving packages in Thailand.

You can find Liveaboard diving tours in Similan Islands as packages that come with the best deals, like dives to Richelieu Rock, Koh Tachai, Koh Bon, and Surin National Marine Park. Diving tours can be arranged as daily or multi-day trips on a Similan liveaboard. Together with the Surin Islands, the Similan Islands cover about 140 square kilometers, so you will need a few days or more to explore every dive spot they have to offer, including Shark Fin Reef. Many islands are uninhabited and unspoiled, so it may feel like you are in a completely different world as you explore their beaches, behold their majestic boulders, enjoy different activities and experiences, and take in the breathtaking views.

Under the sea, the most outstanding scenes and venues await to be explored via a liveaboard diving tour in Similan Island. The seas around the islands are home to a very rich marine life that includes whale sharks and manta rays. Mild temperatures and clear water make ideal diving conditions, and when you join a liveaboard diving tour, you will be accompanied by PADI certified divers, too.

5 Things to Keep in Mind When Going for Scuba Diving Tours in Phuket

Warm weather and beautiful seas make Phuket one of the best destinations for scuba diving tours. Scuba divers of every age and skill level will find Phuket a wonderful venue for diving and exploring the sea life, and specially crafted tours are designed to make their trip more convenient and cost-effective. Scuba diving tours in Phuket offer a great way to enjoy the activity with your companions or in a group, but there are five things you should keep in mind before you go:

1. Pick the right tour provider – Make sure it is an established company that offers a wide range of scuba diving tour packages and courses in Phuket. Find out how long they have been operating and make sure they are a licensed business. One of the leading providers of scuba diving tours in the island has been in business for over 20 years, making them among the most established and reputable companies trusted by local and visiting scuba diving enthusiasts.

2. Explore the options – Find out the tour options and packages being offered by a particular provider. Scuba diving tours and trips typically provide access to major dive areas like the Phuket West coast, Shark Point, the Racha Islands, Ko Phi Phi, the Tarutao group, the Hin Daeng and Hin Muang group, Anemone reef, and the King Cruiser wreck.

3. How can you get to the diving sites? - Reputable scuba diving tour providers in Phuket have a yacht that can take you to the dive sites comfortably and safely. The boat is specially crafted for diving, with specific areas for equipment, lounging, eating, and for getting in and out of the ocean.

4. The number of people who can join the trip – There is safety in numbers, including the maximum number of people who are allowed to join in a group. This way, overloading the yacht can be avoided and you can be sure that it will not be too crowded and that the dive guides can provided personalized attention to everyone.

5. PADI certified – Make sure that you are booking scuba diving tours with a PADI certified dive center. This means that Divemasters and SCUBA instructors are certified PADI too and that they are qualified to accompany you or teach you how to dive.

Scuba Diving in Phuket – The Pearl of The Andaman

Phuket is situated around 862 kilometers south of Bangkok and it is one of the must-see destinations in Thailand, especially if you love water sports and scuba diving. Its nickname, ‘Pearl of the Andaman Sea,’ will make a lot of sense when you see how beautiful it is with its limestone cliffs, vast and tranquil bays, white beaches with powdery sand, and lush tropical forests. Phuket itself is the largest island of Thailand, and its waters have plenty of diving sites that are waiting to be explored by you.

Scuba diving is one of the top activities you should not miss in Phuket. PADI-certified divers go there for a challenge or for fun dives, and beginners and casual divers go there to learn or hone their skill. The best time to go scuba diving in Phuket is during hot season, which is from November to April. That way, you can experience the clearest skies, crystal clear waters, and the freshest sea breeze, and enjoy a pleasant temperature, which averages between 28 to 33 degrees Celsius.

Families, couples, groups of friends, and individuals can arrange scuba diving adventures through a reputable provider of diving trips, holidays, liveaboards, and certified diving lessons in Phuket. Be sure to find provider that is recognized as the leader in the local diving industry and recognized by PADI as a reputable diving center with the best standards for teaching and guiding its students.

Phuket offers many different dive sites such as Racha Noi, a tropical island known for its hard coral reefs, big granite boulders, and excellent visibility that lets you enjoy a view of the underwater life with plenty of fish and manta rays. The King Cruiser wreck is another attraction to see when scuba diving in Phuket. The ferry sank in May 1997 near a reef, and since then, it became inhabited by many species of fish, making it a fascinating diving destination for average to expert divers.